What has been done:
We end 2024 on a positive note as we look forward to new opportunities in the coming year to expand our advocacy to serve one of the most marginalized sector of our society.
Our Community Bail Bond Program continued to reach more PDL who deserve to be released from detention even as we conducted several jail activities that served to bring the spirit of the Christmas season to PDL. Our Program Field Officers continued with their regular activities that included conducting weekly monitoring/home visits of successfully released participants, providing guidance and updating the steps they are taking towards becoming productive members of their communities.
Four of our CBB Participants had scheduled hearings for the period covered. Only one hearing pushed through while the other seven were postponed/reset for various reasons.
For this period, we were able to successfully release 6 CBB Participants from detention. All were released through bail. They join the 196 other CBB Participants that have been released, all of whom we are assisting towards community reintegration.
Last December 4 we took part in simultaneous gatherings held by two organizations. The Kilusang Makabansang Ekonomiya (KME) held its Conference and Christmas Party that had Sen. Risa Hontiveros as a guest speaker while the St. Vincent School of Theology (SVST) held an Academic Forum with former Sen. Leila de Lima as guest of honor.
Last December 5 our PRESO Board of Directors and the CBB Program Implementers gathered together for the annual Year-End Meeting and Thanksgiving.
Members of the PRESO Board also took part in the WE CARE CBB Christmas Gift Giving activity supported by the Knights of Columbus and the Rotary Club. The activity gathered together 50 CBB Clients and their loved ones. Gift packages and packed meals were distributed to the participants. CBB Clients who were unable to attend were also given their gift packages.
We partnered with ArcadisPH and the Just Shut Up and Love (JSUAL) organization for a jail visitation and gift giving activity at the Quezon City Jail Male Dorm Payatas. Approximately 400 PDL took part in a Christmas presentation that had musical performances, a mime performance and mindfulness activity. Snacks and a packed lunch were distributed to the participants.
Our Board Member, Atty. Eirene Aguila continued her annual tradition of taking part in several jails that were conducting a Christmas Wish Tree activity. This year she visited Navotas City Jail and Pasay City Jail Male Dorms where she fulfilled the Christmas wishes of 100 PDL.
PRESO, Inc. facilitated the gift giving activities of Dr. Jean Rafanan and Bro. Emman Soabas who are our partners in conducting the weekly online values formation sessions as selected jails. This time they personally visited Taguig City Jail Female Dorm and Pasay City Jail Male Dorm.
We likewise facilitated a Christmas activity of Mary Help of Christians as well as provided several care packages to Mandaluyong and Navotas City Jail Male Dorms as part of their Christmas activities.
We took part in the Year-End Thanksgiving Party for Service Providers by the Quezon City Jail Male Dorm Payatas.
We closed out the year taking part in the launching of the Manila City Jail Male Dorm "Carcel de Manila" Multi-Purpose Hall. The facility shall serve to provide additional services for PDL and their visitors as well an office for the BANDILA Aftercare Program that is in partnership between MCJ-MD, the Missionary Sisters of St. Columban and PRESO, Inc.
As of December 27, there have been 506 individuals referred to our program coming from 24 city jail facilities, 2 provincial jail facilities, 17 police stations, 3 youth centers, 3 correctional facilities, and 3 national agencies. Of this number 260 had been interviewed. Of the interviewed, 146 had been successfully bailed out while another 55 had been released through other legal means.
More significantly, we have a total of 70 CBB Participants who have successfully graduated from the CBB Program. We consider participants as having successfully graduated from the Program after their cases have been closed, and at least another six months of monitoring have elapsed. Throughout this period, they must have shown to be responsible members of their community and can lead productive lives.
With their release, the government has now saved ₱ 4,500,520.00. This is computed by adding the amount budgeted per day (PhP70 for food) per PDL multiplied by the number of days since the day of the release from jail of every individual Participant. These savings will increase as days go by and as long as their cases are not terminated. For those whose cases are dismissed, served early or whose probation was approved, we expect a savings of least 60 days of non-incarceration.
Additionally, on top of the food savings by the government, these individuals are now back to the community and actively engaged in their livelihood- hence contributing to the economy. We minimized their exposure to the criminogenic jail environment leading to better reentry to the society as responsible members.
As we forge ahead with our Community Bail Bond Program, we continue to learn and re-learn approaches and procedures. And this is a welcome experience for us. We envision that more PDLs and CICLs would be assisted soon with their liberties restored, their dignity regained and that their lives are eventually rebuilt. We as a community have a significant role in all these. In the long run, support for our prisons and prisoners as a whole would benefit all of society in terms of lower rates of recidivism and increased sense of public safety. GOD IS ON OUR SIDE!
